UF's College of Design, Construction and Planning to host tours, annual Research Showcase

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning will hold tours of its latest research facilities Feb. 24, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. in the Architecture Building atrium with an opening address by UF President Bernie Machen and Dean Christopher Silver.

Tours, which are free and open to the public, will begin immediately following opening remarks and will run until 11:30 a.m.

As part of the fifth annual 2012 DCP Research Showcase, visitors will be able to tour classroom innovations at the college, such as the co-Lab, Fab Lab and BIM Lab. The annual event is also an opportunity for current and prospective students to learn about the research conducted in the college and for DCP professionals to hear new ideas that are driving the field.

“The college is continuing our focus on interdisciplinary work and is dedicated to incorporating technology and innovation into our research and facilities,” Silver said. “This year’s Research Showcase is a chance to demonstrate the cutting-edge technological advancements provided for our students – I think our attendees will be impressed.”

Margaret Carr, DCP’s associate dean for undergraduate students and academic affairs, said that the college has made significant advances despite reduced budgets.

“Restore, reinvent, and repurpose: That’s what we are doing with our buildings and the learning environments they contain,” Carr said. “We are proud of the three new technologically sophisticated labs we’ve been able to provide our students and faculty.”

These improvements were made possible through an entrepreneurial approach that has combined proposals from faculty, funding from student technology fees, stimulus funds and a grant from the UF Division of Sponsored Research, and a major gift in kind from the Steelcase Corporation, Carr said.

At this year’s showcase, the college’s faculty will share research in the areas of sustainable design, technology, social space design and more. The event includes a poster session of student and faculty research, faculty presentations and panel discussions, providing an opportunity for alumni and professionals to engage in discussions with faculty and students about the state of research conducted in the college and how it impacts the professions.

For full event details, view the schedule, and to participate in the rest of the Research Showcase, register online for $25.

Credits

Writer

Ginny Lawrimore, glawrimore@dcp.ufl.edu, 352-392-4836 ext. 469

Contact

Christopher Silver, silver2@dcp.ufl.edu, 352-392-4836